Time for parents to choose schools for September.

Parents of pre-school children in Battle, Rye and across the county are being asked to select the school they would like their child to attend.

Admission booklets, containing a range of information and advice for parents of children born between September 2003 and August 2004, are being distributed during January and parents have until February 8 to express their school preferences.

Once again, as well as using the application form included within the booklet, parents can also apply online through the East Sussex County Council website.

The online system is quick, easy to use and available 24 hours a day.

Parents applying online will get an automatic acknowledgement by email of their application and can print a copy of the form they submit.

Parents are being encouraged to find out as much as possible about their preferred schools before making decisions and applying.

They can ask for a copy of the school's prospectus, contact schools for visits, and check the schools latest Ofsted inspection reports.

Three preferred schools can be listed on the form and while the county council admissions team makes every effort to try to meet a parent's wishes for their child to attend one of the three schools, a place at a particular school cannot be guaranteed.

Cllr Rupert Simmons, East Sussex County Council's lead member for learning and school effectiveness, said: "Clearly choosing a school is a very important decision for a parent to make and I would urge them to do as much research as possible before deciding on their preferences.

"We do always try to meet a parent's wishes and in the majority of cases this is possible."

The website address is www.eastsussex.gov.uk/admissions and the online service goes live on Friday January 11.

Families who don't have internet access at home can use the electronic information points provided by East Sussex County Council, or internet access in libraries, free of charge.